Cactus-Inspired Catalysts Could Revolutionize Hydrogen Production.

Engineers at the University of Texas at El Paso have developed a low-cost, nickel-based material as a catalyst to help split water more cheaply and efficiently, inspired by the prickly pear cactus. The process of splitting water into hydrogen, called electrolysis, remains unperfected and current techniques rely heavily on platinum as a catalyst, which is expensive. The team designed a 3D nickel-based catalyst in the shape of the prickly pear cactus, which accommodates more electrochemical reactions, creating more hydrogen than nickel typically can. The process needs further refinement, but it's a step in the right direction towards eliminating carbon footprint.